Oil filter assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a filter assembly including an outer housing, and a removable filter insert that fits within the housing. The filter insert includes a generally cylindrical filter element. An insert body is connected to the filter element. The insert body includes a top end cap in which a top end of the filter element is potted, and a bottom end cap in which a bottom end of the filter element is potted. The insert body also includes a cylindrical liner or wall that surrounds the filter element. The cylindrical liner is spaced-apart from the filter element such that an annular flow passageway is defined between the cylindrical liner and the filter element. The outer wall is configured to prevent contaminants from escaping from the filter insert and contaminating the inside of the housing.

We claim:  
     
       1. A filter apparatus comprising: 
       a) a first filter element aligned along a longitudinal axis that extends between top and bottom ends of the first filter element, the first filter element including an inner side that faces toward the longitudinal axis and defines a central opening that extends along the longitudinal axis, and the first filter element also including an outer side that faces away from the longitudinal axis;  
       b) an insert body connected to the first filter element, the insert body including:  
       i) a top end cap in which the top end of the first filter element is mounted;  
       ii) a bottom end cap in which the bottom end of the first filter element is mounted;  
       iii) an outer wall that surrounds the first filter element, the outer wall defining a contaminant containment chamber between the outer wall and the first filter element, the outer wall being impervious and being connected to the bottom end cap;  
       c) the bottom end cap defining at least one drain opening located between the outer side of the first filter element and the outer wall for draining the contaminant containment chamber; and  
       d) a second filter element positioned at the drain opening to filter fluid that drains from the drain opening such that contaminants are retained in the contaminant containment chamber.  
     
     
       2. The filter apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the insert body, the first filter element and the second filter element together form a filter insert, and the filter apparatus further comprises an outer housing defining an inner cavity sized for removably receiving the filter insert. 
     
     
       3. The filter apparatus of claim  2 , wherein the outer wall is sized and shaped to line an interior of the outer housing. 
     
     
       4. The filter apparatus of claim  2 , further comprising a seal for inhibiting unfiltered liquid from flowing between the outer housing and the outer wall of the filter insert. 
     
     
       5. The filter apparatus of claim  4 , wherein the seal comprises an O-ring. 
     
     
       6. The filter apparatus of claim  2 , wherein the outer housing comprises an open-topped bowl having threads arranged and configured for allowing the bowl to be threaded onto a filter head. 
     
     
       7. The filter apparatus of claim  2 , wherein the outer housing comprises a canister having a top that can be removed to insert the filter insert into the canister. 
     
     
       8. The filter apparatus of claim  2 , wherein the outer housing is made of metal, and the insert body is made of a non-metal material. 
     
     
       9. The filter apparatus of claim  8 , wherein the non-metal material comprises plastic. 
     
     
       10. The filter apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the second filter element is secured to the bottom end cap. 
     
     
       11. The filter apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the second filter element is mounted within the contaminant containment chamber. 
     
     
       12. The filter apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the outer wall has a height that extends from the bottom end cap to the top end cap. 
     
     
       13. The filter apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the outer wall is integrally formed with the bottom end cap. 
     
     
       14. A filter insert comprising: 
       a) a first filter element aligned along a longitudinal axis that extends between top and bottom ends of the first filter element, the first filter element including an inner side that faces toward the longitudinal axis and defines a central opening that extends along the longitudinal axis, and the first filter element also including an outer side that faces away from the longitudinal axis; and  
       b) an insert body connected to the first filter element, the insert body including:  
       i) a top end cap in which the top end of the first filter element is sealed and secured;  
       ii) a bottom end cap in which the bottom end of the first filter element is sealed and secured; and  
       iii) an impervious outer wall that surrounds the first filter element, the outer wall being spaced-apart from the outer side of the first filter element such that a contaminant containment chamber is defined between the outer wall and the first filter element;  
       iv) an inlet for allowing fluid to enter the contaminant containment chamber;  
       v) the bottom end cap defining at least one drain opening for draining fluid from the containment chamber, the drain opening being located outside the first filter element and inside the outer wall, and the drain opening being separate from the inlet; and  
       vi) a second filter positioned at the drain opening for filtering fluid that is drained from the containment chamber.